New bases are being opened by Ryanair in Fez and Marrakech in Morocco as part of an expansion plan from April.
The budget carrier will base three aircraft in the North African country and will also start flights from Essaouira and Rabat.
The airline claims the move represents an investment of $210 million, delivering 2.5 million passengers a year and supporting 2,500 jobs.
A network of 22 routes will operate from Marrakech including seven new services to Baden, Bergerac, Cuneo in Italy, Dole in France, Munich, Paris (Vatry) and Tours.
New routes to Lille, Nantes, Nimes and St Etienne will bring Ryanair’s network at Fez up to 15 destinations.
Brussels, Paris and Marseille will be served from Rabat while Brussels and Marseille will be served from Essaouira.
Morocco’s tourism minister Lahcen Haddad said: “The Moroccan tourism sector is very proud of the confidence Ryanair is showing in the capacity of the Moroccan destination to grow and develop to become a leading market in the Mediterranean region.
“This long-term commitment, as shown in the implementation of two bases in Fez and Marrakech, and the opening of two new destinations (Essaouira and Rabat), is the first stage of a comprehensive strategy aiming, for Ryanair, to build a profitable business based on the huge growth potential of Moroccan tourism.
“The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism is convinced that an efficient growth strategy can only succeed if it takes into consideration the emergence of new tourism products, the need for an adequate air service as well as for an efficient marketing activity.
“We will strengthen our marketing efforts in the main source markets at which Ryanair will increase its air services to Morocco.”